Image pickup parameter recorder and image pickup method

Abstract: A system controller (9) checks out the set states of the parts of an image pickup system (1) at the time of picking up images and supplies the data on the set states to a recording reproducing system as image pickup parameters. The parameters are recorded on a video tape (17) together with image pickup data. In addition, the image pickup parameters are also recorded on a removable setup card. Consequently, not only the picture corresponding to the image pickup data, but also the image pickup parameters obtained at the time of picking up the picture can be simultaneously reproduced. Therefore, the past data on the set states of the parts of the system (1) can be easily confirmed and reproduced, so that a picture of the same tone can be taken.

Description: Technical Field This invention relates to an imaging parameter recording apparatus and an imaging method advantageously employed for an integrated system for imaging and editing an object. More particularly, it relates to an imaging parameter recording apparatus and an imaging method for re-generating the picture pattern at the time of past imaging, correcting the picture pattern to a desirable pattern and unifying the picture pattern of the reproduced picture by recording imaging conditions at the time of imaging and imaging signals of the object and by enabling the imaging parameters to be unified to desirable imaging parameter values. Background Art Nowadays, a video camera apparatus is known, in which the imaging light is received by a so-called CCD image sensor for forming imaging signals which imaging signals are recorded on a video tape. With such video camera apparatus, the focusing, zooming or the iris is manually set by a user prior to starting the imaging. When the imaging is started, the imaging light is introduced via the imaging lens so as to be received by the CCD image sensor. Thus the electrical charges corresponding to the received imaging light are accumulated in the CCD image sensor. The system controller reads out the charges accumulated in the CCD image sensor under so-called electronic shutter control at a time interval specified by a manual operation or in response to the received light volume. The electrical charges read out from the CCD image sensor are outputted as imaging signals so as to be fed to a preamplifier. The preamplifier amplifies the imaging signals at a pre-set gain and transmits the amplified signals to a video amplification circuit (video amplifier). The video amplifier has its gain, flare correction degree and shading correction degree controlled by control signals from the system controller. Thus the video amplifier performs flare correction and shading correction on the imaging signals and amplifies the corrected signals with a gain variably controlled by the system controller in order to output the amplified signals. The amplified imaging signals from the video amplifier are supplied to an imaging signal processing circuit. The imaging signal processing circuit clamps the pedestal level (black level) of the imaging signals and processes the imaging signals with gamma correction and contour enhancement, while affording knee characteristics to the processed imaging signals, under control by the system controller, and transmits the resulting imaging signals to an encoder. The encoder digitizes the imaging signals to produce imaging data and encodes the imaging data in a pre-set manner suited to recording in order to output the resulting encoded data. The time code indicating the imaging time and date is superimposed on the imaging data and the resulting data is supplied to a rotary head. The rotary head digitally azimuth-records the imaging data and the time code on a video tape. This allows the imaging data and the time code to be reproduced during reproduction so that the imaging data and time by the time code may be displayed on a screen along with the picture corresponding to the imaging data. In a broadcasting station, it becomes frequently desirable to select a desired picture to be used in a program from among plural images recorded on plural video tapes and to edit the images in their entirety on a single video tape. However, since the desired selected images were directly joined to one another with the conventional editing, such that the pictures of the same picture pattern produce difference in the display mode at a junction between the images to give the alien feeling to the viewer. That is, since the plural video tapes are made up of images taken at different places and at different timing, such that, when the pictures, such as the pictures of the sky, imaged under geographically or temporally different conditions and joined to each other by editing, produce an inconvenience such as sudden changes in brightness in the reproduced combined image, with the junction as a boundary. Alternatively, if the pictures before and after the junction are indoor and outdoor images respectively, the reproduced picture shows sudden change in brightness on both sides of the junction due to changes in indoor and outdoor color temperature. On the other hand, if there is any reproduced image having a picture pattern suited to the viewer's taste, it may occur that the viewer is desirous to know the setting state of the video camera device in which the image was taken, such as the iris opening degree, video amplifier gain, the level of shading correction or the level of gamma correction of the imaging signal processing circuit. However, the setting state of past imaging operations cannot be realized with the conventional video camera device, such that imaging cannot be performed in the manner of re-generating past picture patterns. While it may be contemplated that the setting state of the past imaging operation can be recognized if the user records the imaging setting state on a memo, an extremely laborious operation is involved because the setting state needs to be confirmed for each imaging operation. In addition, it is well-nigh impossible to recognize the setting state during the imaging operation. It is known from published European Patent Serial Number EP 0 473 516 A to provide an electronic still image camera having an imaging means for providing imaging signals, means for writing the imaging signals on to a removable recording medium, and a recording and reproducing circuit for recording operational characteristics of the digital electronic camera into the removable recording medium. It is also known from Japanese patent application serial number JP-A-4 213 280 to provide a camera with a memory card on to which video camera setting values may be recorded, to facilitate subsequently setting the camera to these setting values. In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide an imaging parameter recording apparatus and an imaging method in which imaging parameters indicating the setting state of various components during the imaging can be recorded along with the imaging signals and in which reproduced image can be edited to a desirable picture pattern by optionally changing the imaging parameter values. Disclosure of the Invention In one aspect, the present invention provides an imaging parameter recording apparatus according to the present invention includes imaging means for producing imaging signals by imaging an object under imaging conditions which are based on imaging parameters, and means for recording the imaging signals and imaging parameters relating to the imaging signals on the same recording medium. The imaging parameter recording apparatus also includes reproducing means for reproducing the imaging signal and the imaging parameters recorded on the recording medium, and means for displaying the imaging signals and the imaging parameters reproduced by the reproducing means. The imaging parameter recording device also includes means for changing the values of the imaging parameters displayed on the display means, and means for recording imaging parameters changed in value by the changing means on a removable parameter recording medium. The imaging parameter recording apparatus may further include means for reproducing the imaging parameters from the parameter recording medium, which imaging means produces imaging signals based on the imaging parameters reproduced by the parameter reproducing means. The imaging means may have an imaging device for converting an imaging light into electrical signals, and a white balance adjustment circuit for adjusting the white balance of the output signals of the imaging device. The imaging parameters then are white balance adjustment data for adjusting the white balance. The imaging means has an imaging device for converting an imaging light into electrical signals, and an iris for adjusting the volume of incident light on the imaging device, in which case the imaging parameters are data indicating the iris opening value. The imaging means may have an imaging device for converting an imaging light into electrical signals, and a contour enhancement circuit for performing a contour enhancement operation on an output signal of the imaging device, in which case the imaging parameters are data indicating the contour enhancement level. In its another aspect, the present invention provides an imaging parameter recording apparatus for recording imaging parameters defining imaging parameters for imaging means on an imaging parameter recording medium removably loaded on the imaging means. The imaging parameter recording apparatus includes reproducing means for reproducing imaging signals and the imaging parameters from the recording medium having recorded thereon the imaging signals and the imaging parameters relating to said imaging signals, and display means for displaying the picture based on the imaging signals and the imaging parameters, reproduced by the reproducing means. The imaging parameter recording apparatus also includes changing means for changing the values of the imaging parameters displayed on the display means, and recording means for recording the imaging parameters changed by the changing means on the imaging parameter recording medium. The imaging means may have an imaging device for converting an imaging light into electrical signals, and a white balance adjustment circuit for adjusting the white balance of an output signal of the imaging device, in which case the imaging parameters are white balance adjustment data for adjusting the white balance. In its further aspect, the present invention provides an imaging method including the steps of (a) recording imaging signals generated on imaging a desired object by imaging means and recording imaging parameters of the imaging means at a time point of generation of the imaging signals on the same recording medium, (b) reproducing the imaging signals and the imaging parameters from the recording medium for displaying a picture corresponding to the imaging signals and the imaging parameters, (c) changing the values of the imaging parameters based on the displayed picture, and (d) recording the changed imaging parameters on a removable imaging parameter recording medium. The above imaging method may further include the steps of (e) loading an imaging parameter recording medium, having the imaging parameters recorded thereon at the step (d), on any of the imaging means, (f) reading out the imaging parameters from the loaded imaging parameter recording medium, and (g) imaging the object after adjusting the setting state of the imaging means in accordance with the read-out imaging parameters. With the imaging parameter recording device and the imaging method according to the present invention, the imaging parameters for each imaging event may be recorded along with the imaging signals on the recording medium. Thus it becomes possible to completely omit the laborious operation of confirming the imaging parameters for each imaging event and recording on a memo or the like. The past setting state of the imaging means may be easily recognized by reproducing the imaging parameters and the past setting state can be easily newly set so that imaging may be made in such a manner as to re-create the picture pattern at the time of the past imaging operation. On the other hand, if there is any favorite picture among the pictures displayed on the display means, the imaging parameters of the picture may be recorded and kept on the imaging parameter recording medium either directly or after suitably changing the imaging parameters. Brief Description of the Drawings Fig.1 is a block diagram of a video camera apparatus according to a first embodiment in which the imaging parameter recording device and the imaging method of the present invention are applied. Fig.2 schematically shows a recording format of the recording data and imaging parameters recorded on a video tape of the video camera apparatus. Fig.3 is a block diagram showing a setup card forming apparatus according to a second embodiment in which the editing system according to the present invention is applied. Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention Referring to the drawings, the imaging parameter recording apparatus, imaging method and the editing system according to the present invention will be explained in detail. The imaging parameter recording apparatus and the imaging method according to the present invention may be applied to a video camera apparatus, as shown in Fig.1. The video camera apparatus of the first embodiment is made up of an imaging system 1 and a recording/ reproducing system 2. The imaging system 1 includes an imaging lens 3 for receiving the imaging light, a CCD image sensor 4 for receiving the imaging light from the imaging lens 3 for forming imaging signals and a pre-amplification circuit (pre-amplifier) 5 for amplifying the imaging signals from the CCD image sensor 4. The imaging system 1 also includes a video amplifier 6 for performing control operations, such as shading correction, flare correction or white balance control on the imaging signals from the preamplifier 5 and amplifying the processed imaging signals with a gain automatically set by automatic gain control and a gain which may be variably set to three stages, and an imaging signal processing circuit 7 for processing output imaging signals from the video amplifier 6 with gamma correction and black level control. The imaging system 1 also has an encoder 8 for digitizing the imaging signals from the imaging signal processing circuit 7 to form imaging data an encoding the resulting imaging data in a manner suited to recording. The imaging system 1 also has a system controller 9 for detecting the zooming ratio of the imaging lens 3, an electronic shutter speed of the CCD image sensor 4, shading correction degree of the video amplifier 6 or the gamma correction degree of the imaging signal processing circuit 7 for generating imaging parameters showing the setting states of the above components. The imaging system 1 finally includes a memory 10 for restoring the above imaging parameters, a setup card recording/ reproducing unit 11 for recording or reproducing imaging parameters on or from a removable magnetic card, referred to herein as a setup card, and an operating unit 12 having change keys for changing the imaging parameters to desired values. The recording/ reproducing system 2 has an amplification circuit 13 for amplifying the imaging data and imaging parameters formed by the imaging system 1, and a recording/ reproducing amplifier circuit 15 for amplifying the imaging data and the imaging parameters for recording/ reproduction at the time of recording/ reproduction. The recording/ reproducing system 2 also has a rotary head 16 for digitally azimuth recording the imaging data and the imaging parameters from the recording/ reproducing amplifier circuit 15 on a video tape 17 and reproducing the imaging data and the imaging parameters from the recording track. The recording/ reproducing unit 2 finally includes a superimposition circuit 18 for superimposing the imaging parameters detected by the system controller 9 on the imaging signals from the encoder 8 for supplying the superimposed signal to an electronic view finder 19 and an external output terminal 20 connected to e.g., a monitoring device. The operation of the video camera apparatus of the first embodiment having the above constitution is now explained. In Fig.1, the user variably manually sets the setting state of various components of the imaging system 1. Specifically, the user manually sets the focusing, iris and zooming of the imaging lens 3 as well as the gain, flare correction degree, shading correction degree and white balance of the video amplifier 6. In addition, the user manually sets the black level, gamma correction level, contour enhancement level or knee characteristics of the imaging signal processing circuit 7. The setting state of the various components of the imaging system 1 may also be automatically set by the system controller 9. When the various components of the imaging system 1 have been set as described above, the imaging light is introduced via the imaging lens 3, so that the imaging light is radiated on the CCD image sensor 4. The CCD image sensor 4 receives the imaging light and accumulates electrical charges corresponding to the received imaging light. The electrical charges accumulated in the CCD image sensor 4 are read out in accordance with the so-called electronic shutter control by the system controller 9 so as to be supplied as imaging signals to the video amplifier 6 via the pre-amplifier 5. The video amplifier 6 performs white balance control as well as flare correction and shading correction on the imaging signals so that characteristics as pre-set by the user will be realized. In addition, the video amplifier 6 amplifies the imaging signal with a gain automatically set by the system controller 9 and a gain which may be variably set in three stages depending on imaging conditions, and routes the amplified signal to the imaging signal processing circuit 7. The imaging signal processing circuit 7 clamps the pedestal level (black level) of the imaging signal, while processing the imaging signal with gamma correction and contour enhancement, based upon a control signal from the system controller 9, while appending knee characteristics to the imaging signal and supplying the-resulting signals to the encoder 8. The encoder 8 digitizes the imaging signals to form imaging data and encodes the imaging data in a manner suited to recording. The encoded imaging signals are fed to the amplifier circuit 13 and the superimposition circuit 18. The system controller 9 detects control values of focusing, iris and zooming of the imaging lens 3, an electronic shutter speed of the CCD image sensor 4, gain of the video amplifier 6, white balance, flare correction and shading correction values, pedestal level of the imaging signal processing circuit 7, gamma correction and contour enhancement values and adds knee characteristic values, as the imaging parameters, on the frame-by-frame basis. These imaging parameters are fed to the amplifier circuit 13 and the superimposition circuit 18. The superimposition circuit 18 has a character generator having stored therein character data associated with the imaging parameters, such as numbers, alphabetical letters, Roman letters and katakana characters. When fed with the imaging parameters from the system controller 9, the superimposition circuit 18 reads out character data corresponding to the imaging parameters from the character generator and superimposes the character data on the imaging data from the encoder 8 in order to route the superimposed imaging data to the electronic view finder 19 and to the external output terminal 20. This displays the image of the object being imaged and the imaging parameters indicating the setting state of various components during imaging on the view finder 19. Thus the user may view the imaging parameters without distracting his or her attention from the electronic view finder 19 during imaging. Thus, if the user viewing the imaging parameters during imaging is inclined to change the setting state of various components, he or she may optionally change the setting state, such as the iris, shading correction degree or contour enhancement, in order to effect imaging. On the other hand, the amplifier circuit 13 amplifies the imaging data supplied from the encoder 8 and the system controller 9, with a pre-set gain, and routes the imaging parameter to the rotary head 16 via the recording/ playback amplification circuit 15. The rotary head 16 digitally azimuth-records the imaging data and the imaging parameters on the video tape 17 for forming a recording track. Specifically, the one-field imaging data VD is adapted to be recorded on a single recording track TR, as shown in Fig.2, in which each one set of the imaging parameters PD concerning the imaging data is recorded on two recording tracks, that is for each frame. Meanwhile, the imaging parameters may also be detected by the system controller 9 on the field basis. In such case, each set of the imaging parameters PD is recorded on one recording track. Thus, by detecting the imaging parameters during imaging, and recording them along with the imaging data, it becomes possible to avoid the laborious operation of ascertaining the imaging parameters for each imaging operation and recording them on a memo. The imaging data and the imaging parameters recorded on the video tape 17 are reproduced by the rotary head 16 during reproduction. The reproduced imaging data and the imaging parameters are fed to the amplifier circuit 13 via the recording/ playback amplification circuit 15. During reproduction, the amplifier circuit 13 separates the imaging data and the imaging parameters supplied thereto via the recording/ playback amplifier circuit 15 from each other and amplifies them at a pre-set gain. The amplified imaging data and the amplified imaging parameters are supplied to the superimposition circuit 18 and to the system controller 9, respectively. The superimposition circuit 18 reads out character data corresponding to the imaging parameters from the character generator as discussed above and superimposes the letter data on the picture data in order to supply the superimposed data to the view finder 19 and the external output terminal 20. Thus the imaging parameters under which the imaging data was recorded during the past imaging operation are displayed on the view finder 19, so that the user is able to easily recognize the setting states of the various components during the past imaging operation and to easily re-set the past setting state, thus rendering it possible to realize the imaging of reproducing the past picture pattern. In addition, if the user should make an enquiry to the manufacturer if any trouble in a video camera apparatus is responsible for marred playback image, the maintenance personnel is able to check the imaging parameters used for imaging, in addition to the playback picture. Thus the maintenance personnel may recognize whether the cause of trouble lies in the apparatus or in the setting mistake on the part of the user and accordingly take proper measures. The video camera apparatus of the present first embodiment is adapted to record only the imaging parameters on a separate recording medium for later reference. That is, the video camera apparatus has, in addition to the video tape 17, a setup card recording/ reproducing unit 11 capable of loading e.g., a setup card thereon. If the user has found a picture pattern suited to his or her taste in the picture displayed on the electronic view finder 19, he or she may act on the operating unit 12 in order to fetch the imaging parameters for the picture. During reproduction, the imaging parameters separated from the imaging parameters in the amplifier circuit 13 are routed to the system controller 9. Thus, when the fetching of the imaging parameters is specified, the system controller 9 writing-controls the setup card recording/ reproducing unit 11 for storing the imaging parameters which are being reproduced and being supplied from the amplification circuit 13. Thus causes the setup card recording/ reproducing unit 11 to store the desired imaging parameters on the setup card. On the other hand, if the user viewing the picture displayed on the view finder 19 desires to record on the setup card the imaging parameters of a picture enhanced in contour to a slightly higher extent or a picture adjusted in white balance, he or she acts on the operating unit 12 in order to change the imaging parameters based on his or her experience. If the change in the imaging parameters is indicated, the system controller 9 writing-controls the memory 10 for transiently storing the imaging parameters supplied from the amplifier circuit 13. The system controller 9 forms imaging parameters, the values of which are changed responsive to the operation of the operating section 12, and routes the formed imaging parameters to the superimposition circuit 18. The superimposition circuit 18 reads out character data corresponding to the imaging parameters from the system generator 9 in order to superimpose the letter data on the imaging data. The resulting superimposed data is supplied to the electronic view finder 19. The imaging parameters, variably controlled responsive to-actuation of the operating unit 12, are displayed on the electronic view finder 19. The user thus actuates the operating unit 12 in order to adjust the values of the imaging parameters displayed on the electronic view finder 19 to desired values. When the values of the imaging parameter displayed on the electronic view finder 19 assumes a desired value, the operating unit 12 is actuated for fetching the imaging parameters. When the fetching of the imaging parameters is indicated, the system controller 9 reads out the original imaging parameters stored in the memory 10 and changes the parameter values to those as set by the user in order to control the setup card recording/ reproducing unit 11 for recording on the setup card. In this manner, the original imaging parameters may be changed so that the imaging parameters corresponding to the desired picture patterns of the user will be recorded on the setup card. Once the imaging parameters have been stored in the setup card, it becomes possible to perform the imaging in accordance with the setting state of various components responsive to the imaging parameters. That is, the user loads the setup card into which the user has recorded the desired imaging parameters on the setup card recording/ reproducing unit 11 in order to actuate the operating unit 12 for reading out the imaging parameters. Thus the system controller 9. readout-controls the setup card recording/ reproducing unit 11 for reading out the imaging parameters recorded in the setup card, and controls the setting state of various component parts of the imaging lens 3, CCD image sensor 4, video amplifier 6 and the imaging signal processing circuit 7 responsive to these imaging parameters. This reproduces the past imaging states in order to make it possible to image the picture having the same picture pattern as that for the past imaging. In the above description of the present embodiment, the imaging parameters detected during the imaging and the reproduced or changed imaging parameters are confirmed on the electronic view finder 19. However, there are occasions wherein it is desired to confirm the imaging parameters on a large screen. In such case, the user externally connects a monitor device to the external output terminal 20. This routes the imaging data and the imaging parameters to the monitor device via the external output terminal 20, so that characters corresponding to the imaging parameters are displayed along with the picture corresponding to the imaging data. Thus the user is able to inspect and ascertain the picture and the imaging parameters displayed on the monitor device more precisely than with the use of the electronic view finder 19. The editing system according to the present invention may be applied to a setup card forming apparatus which is designed for selecting desired imaging parameters from the video tape imaged by the video camera apparatus of the first embodiment, recording the selected desired imaging parameters on the setup card, changing the imaging parameters reproduced from the video tape to desired values, and re-recording the changed imaging parameters on the setup card. Referring to Fig.3, the setup card forming apparatus 90 according to the second embodiment includes a rotary head 92 for reproducing the imaging data and the imaging parameters from the video tape 91 and an amplifier circuit 93 for amplifying the imaging data and the imaging parameters reproduced by the rotary head 92 at a pre-set gain. The setup card forming apparatus 90 also includes an amplifier circuit 94 for separating the imaging data and the imaging parameters from the playback amplifier circuit 93 from each other and outputting them after amplification at pre-set gains, a system controller 96 for controlling the setup card forming apparatus 90 in its entirety, and a memory 97 for temporally storing the imaging parameters supplied via the amplifier circuit 94 and the system controller 96 at the time of changing the imaging parameters. The setup card forming apparatus further includes a setup card recording/ reproducing unit 98 for recording/ reproducing the imaging parameters as selected by the user or changed in values on or from the setup card, and an operating unit 99 for reproducing the video tape 91 or changing the imaging parameters. The setup card forming apparatus 90 further includes a superimposition circuit 95 for superimposing the imaging parameters supplied via the system controller 96 on the imaging data from the amplifier circuit 94 and outputting the resulting superimposed data, and an external output terminal 100 connected to an external equipment, such as a monitoring device 101. The operation of the above-described setup card forming device according to the second embodiment is now explained. When selecting desired imaging parameters reproduced from the video tape 91 and recording the selected desired imaging parameters on the setup card by way of editing, the user instructs reproduction of the video tape 91 by the operating unit 99. The system controller 96 thus controls the reproducing system to reproduce the imaging data and imaging parameters from the video tape 91. The imaging data and the imaging parameters recorded on the video tape 91 are reproduced by the rotary head 92 and thence supplied to the playback amplifier circuit 93. The playback amplifier circuit 93 amplifies the imaging data and the imaging parameters at respective pre-set gains and routes the amplified data to the amplifier circuit 94. The amplifier circuit 94 separates the imaging data and the imaging parameters from each other and transmits the imaging data and the imaging parameters to the superimposition circuit 95 and to the system controller 96, respectively. In such case, the system controller 96 directly transmits the imaging parameters to the superimposition circuit 95. The superimposition circuit 95 has a character generator having stored therein character data corresponding to the imaging parameters. When fed with the imaging parameters from the system controller 96, the superimposition circuit 95 reads out the character data corresponding to the imaging parameters and superimposes the character data on the imaging data in order to transmit the superimposed data to the external output terminal 100. The monitor device 101, for example, is connected to the external output terminal 100. Thus the picture corresponding to the imaging data, as well as the characters and numerical figures corresponding to the imaging parameters, are displayed on the monitor device 101. The user retrieves the picture having the desired pattern or the desired imaging parameter values as he or she views the picture displayed on the monitor device 101. When the picture having the picture pattern suited to the liking of the user or the imaging parameters having the numerical values suited to the liking of the user are displayed, the user actuates the operating unit 99 for fetching the imaging parameters of the picture pattern or the currently displayed imaging parameters. When instructed by the operating unit 99 to fetch the imaging parameters, the system controller 96 controls the setup card recording/ reproducing unit 98 for recording the currently reproduced imaging parameters. This enables the currently reproduced imaging parameters to be recorded on the setup card by the setup card recording/ reproducing unit 98. The operation of changing the imaging parameters reproduced from the video tape 91 to desired values for recording on the setup card by way of editing is hereinafter explained. In such case, the user causes the imaging data and the imaging parameters to be reproduced from the video tape 91 as described above. In this manner, a picture based upon the imaging data and characters or numerical values based upon the imaging parameters are displayed on the monitor device 101. If the user viewing the picture pattern displayed on the monitor device 101 judges that the picture pattern can possibly be improved by enhancing the contour or by varying the gamma correction level, he or she actuates the operating unit 99 for instructing a corresponding change of the imaging parameters. When instructed to change the imaging parameters, the system controller 96 writing-controls the memory 97 in order to cause the currently reproduced imaging parameters to be stored in the memory 97. The user then acts on the operating unit 99, based on his or her experiences, for changing the values of the imaging parameters. Thus the system controller 96 forms the imaging parameters having the values corresponding to the actuation of the operating unit 99 and transmits the resulting imaging parameters to the superimposition circuit 95. Thus the imaging parameters corresponding to the actuation of the operating unit 99 are displayed on the monitor device 101. When the imaging parameters displayed on the monitor device 101 reach desired values, the user actuates the operating unit 99 for fetching the imaging parameters. This causes the system controller 96 to read out the original imaging parameters from the memory 97 and to change the read-out value to a value as selected by the user. The system controller 96 then controls the recording/ reproducing unit 98 for recording the changed imaging parameters. This causes the changed imaging parameters to be recorded on the setup card. The operation of changing the imaging parameters recorded on the setup card to desired values for re-recording on the setup card by way of editing is now explained. In such case, the user actuates the operating unit 99 for instructing the imaging parameters recorded on the setup card to be changed. When instructed to change the imaging parameters recorded on the setup card, the system controller 96 controls the setup card recording/ reproducing unit 98 for reproducing the imaging parameters recorded on the setup card. The imaging parameters reproduced by the setup card recording/ reproducing unit 98 from the setup card are routed to the system controller 96. The system controller 96 routes the reproduced imaging parameters via the superimposition circuit 95 and the output terminal 100 to the monitor device 101, while writing-controls the memory 97 for temporally storing the reproduced imaging parameters therein. This displays the imaging parameters reproduced from the setup card on the display device 101. The user then actuates the operating unit 99 based on his or her experience for changing the values of the imaging parameters. In this manner, the system controller 96 forms the imaging parameters having values corresponding to the actuation of the operating unit 99 and transmits the imaging parameters to the monitor device 101 via the superimposition circuit 95. This displays imaging parameters having values corresponding to the actuation of the operating unit 99 on the monitor device 101. The user actuates the operating unit 99 for fetching the imaging parameters when the imaging parameters displayed on the monitor device 101 reach desired values. This causes the system controller 96 to read out the original imaging data from the memory 97 and to change the values of the original imaging parameters to the values as changed by the user. The system controller controls the setup card recording/ reproducing unit 98 for recording the thus changed imaging parameters. This re-records the thus changed imaging parameters on the setup card. By loading the setup card, formed by the setup card forming device according to the second embodiment, on the video camera apparatus of the first embodiment, shown in Fig.1, the various components of the imaging system 1 are automatically set by the system controller 9 as mentioned above, in accordance with the imaging parameters recorded on the setup card, so that imaging may be performed under the same imaging conditions as the past imaging conditions. With the above-described first embodiment of the video camera device, the imaging is carried out using the CCD image sensor 4. However, an image tube may be employed for imaging in place of the CCD image sensor. With the above embodiments, the imaging parameters and the imaging data are digitally recorded on the recording medium. However, they may also be recorded in a analog fashion. In the above embodiments, the setup card is employed as an imaging parameter recording medium for recording the imaging parameters. However, the setup card may also be replaced by a magnetic tape, an optical disc (compact disc or a magneto-optical disc) or a semiconductor memory. In addition, although the imaging signals and the imaging parameters are recorded on the video tape 17 as the magnetic tape, they may also be recorded on the optical disc (compact disc or a magneto-optical disc) or a semiconductor memory.

Claims: An imaging parameter recording apparatus (1) comprising imaging means (3, 4) for producing imaging signals by imaging an object under imaging conditions which are based on imaging parameters, recording means (13, 15, 16) for recording said imaging signals and imaging parameters relating to said imaging signals on the same recording medium (17), reproducing means (13, 15, 16) for reproducing the imaging signal and said imaging parameters recorded on the recording medium (17), characterised by display means (19) for displaying said imaging signals and the imaging parameters reproduced by said reproducing means (13, 15, 16), means (12) for changing the values of the imaging parameters displayed on the display means (19), and means (9) for recording imaging parameters changed in value by said changing means (12) on a removable parameter recording medium (11). The imaging parameter recording apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising imaging parameter recording means (9) for reproducing the imaging parameters from said parameter recording medium (11), and wherein said imaging means (3, 4) is arranged to produce imaging signals based on the imaging parameters reproduced by said imaging parameter reproducing means. The imaging parameter recording apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said imaging means (3, 4) has an imaging device (4) for converting an imaging light into electrical signals, and a white balance adjustment circuit (7) for adjusting the white balance of the output signals of the imaging device, said imaging parameters being white balance adjustment data for adjusting the white balance. The imaging parameter recording apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said imaging means (3, 4) has an imaging device (4) for converting an imaging light into electrical signals, and an iris for adjusting the volume of incident light on said imaging device, wherein said imaging parameters are data indicating the iris opening value. The imaging parameter recording apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said imaging means has an imaging device for converting an imaging light into electrical signals, and a contour enhancement circuit for performing a contour enhancement operation on an output signal of said imaging device, wherein the imaging parameters are data indicating the contour enhancement level. An imaging parameter recording apparatus (90) for recording imaging parameters defining imaging parameters for imaging means (1) on an imaging parameter recording medium (98) removably loaded on said imaging means (1), comprising reproducing means (91, 92, 93) for reproducing imaging signals and said imaging parameters from the recording medium (98) having recorded thereon the imaging signals and the imaging parameters relating to said imaging signals, characterised by display means (101) for displaying the picture based on said imaging signals and the imaging parameters, reproduced by said reproducing means (91, 92, 93), changing means (96, 99) for changing the values of the imaging parameters displayed on said display means (101), and recording means (96) for recording the imaging parameters changed by said changing means (96, 99) on said imaging parameter recording medium (98). The imaging parameter recording apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said imaging means (1) has an imaging device (4) for converting an imaging light into electrical signals, and a white balance adjustment circuit (7) for adjusting the white balance of an output signal of said imaging device, said imaging parameters being white balance adjustment data for adjusting the white balance. The imaging parameter recording apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said imaging means (3, 4) has an imaging device (4) for converting an imaging light into electrical signals, and an iris for adjusting the volume of the incident light to said imaging device, said imaging parameters being data indicating the iris. The imaging parameter recording apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said imaging means has an imaging device for converting an imaging light into electrical signals, and a contour enhancement circuit for performing a contour enhancement operation on an output signal of said imaging device wherein the imaging parameters are data indicating the contour enhancement level. An imaging method comprising the steps of (a) recording imaging signals generated on imaging a desired object by imaging means and recording imaging parameters of said imaging means at a time point of generation of said imaging signals on the same recording medium, characterised by the steps of (b) reproducing said imaging signals and said imaging parameters from said recording medium for displaying a picture corresponding to said imaging signals and said imaging parameters, (c) changing the values of said imaging parameters based on the displayed picture, and (d) recording the changed imaging parameters on a removable imaging parameter recording medium. The imaging method as claimed in claim 10 further comprising the steps of (e) loading an imaging parameter recording medium, having the imaging parameters recorded thereon at the step (d), on any of the imaging means, (f) reading out the imaging parameters from the loaded imaging parameter recording medium, and (g) imaging the object after adjusting the setting state of said imaging means in accordance with the read-out imaging parameters.

Inventors: AIHARA KENICHI, CHIBA YOSHIO, KIHARA TAKU, AIHARA, KENICHI, CHIBA, YOSHIO, KIHARA, TAKU
Applicants: SONY CORP, SONY CORPORATION
Application year: 1994
Main classification: H04N5
IPC codes: H04N5, G11B27, H04N9